"INSPIRATIONAL" use of film to help children learn has bagged a Bradford teacher an award from a national education charity.

Claire Dunsire, a teacher at Greengates Primary School, was handed the award by Into Film for the way she uses film in her English lessons.

As well as using film as a stimulus to get her pupils to write in a range of genres including persuasive, recounts, diary entries, new reports and play scripts, she has helped her pupils to become confident filmmakers.

Her pupils watch, analyse and write about short films as well as planning and creating their own.

Mrs Dunsire also mentors teachers who are using film in their practice for the first time.

She was trained in her use of film by the Bradford Film Literacy Programme, which has been running for three years.

Christopher Figg, producer of We Need to Talk About Kevin, handed her the Most Inspirational use of Film in the Classroom trophy at the star studded event in London's Empire Leicester Square on Tuesday.

After collecting her award, she said: "I am thrilled to receive this award. Using film is the most innovative thing I have ever done as a teacher. All my teaching now uses film and the results are outstanding.”

Guardian Teacher Network Editor Kate Hodge, who helped judge the category said: “Claire should be incredibly proud of what she has achieved – this is without doubt one of the most inspirational teaching stories I have read in a very long time.”

Fourteen awards were made this year, with an industry panel including Sir Alan Parker (Evita), David Yates (Harry Potter), Manjinder Virk (Call The Midwife) and Peter Kosminsky (Wolf Hall) finalising the list of recipients.

Into Film is a charity that uses film as a tool in the contribution to young people’s educational, cultural, creative and personal development.

Andy Gaunt, head at Greengates, said: "I'm sure that the children, parents, teachers and governors of Greengates Primary School will join me in congratulating Claire for this recognition of her inspirational work. By using film across the curriculum, she has engaged children in their learning and consequently improved standards in reading and writing."

David Wilson, Director of Bradford City of Film, said: "The Bradford Film Literacy Programme is evidence of City of Film in action and is gathering continued national and international attention. We are now looking at ways to grow the number of schools involved so that more young people can benefit from what has proved to be a really effective way of learning."

Any schools that want further information or to become involved in the project can call 07961 213553 or email tim.bleazard@bradford.gov.uk